AFL Sydney Premier Men’s Season Preview: Every club previewed ahead of 2025 season

The East Coast Eagles are looking to reap the rewards of their rebuild while the UNSW-ES Bulldogs have recruited strongly for a tilt at another flag. AFL Sydney Premier Men’s Season Preview.

Kieran Emery returns to UNSW-ES in 2025. Picture: Merrillie Redden Photography

The AFL Sydney Men’s Premier division is set for first bounce on Saturday 29 March with 10 teams in the hunt for the ultimate prize.

The North Shore Bombers are coming off the perfect season and will now have to contend with nine other chasing after them.

In the lead-up to the new year, we progressively preview all teams, starting with the UNSW-ES Bulldogs and East Coast Eagles.

UNSW-ES BULLDOGS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Robert Chancellor

Last season: 8th (4-14)

Key recruits: Kieran Emery (Marrar), Hugo Birks (UTS), Taine Moraschi (UTS)
Why they will be competitive: After the high of winning a flag in 2023 through to missing the finals and winning just four games last year, it was a big turnaround for UNSW-ES.

There’s plenty of pride within the club and it’s a result they’re not happy with, and are hellbent on turning around in 2025.

A new-look group will see some familiar faces return to the fold to help restore them back to where they belong.

“The club missed the finals for the first time in a long time last year. We will be much stronger this year,” president Iain Dunstan said.

“We have added a couple of good players with about half a dozen who have come back. Some went to the country to play for money and we’ve signed some good, new players as well.
“There’s a really good feel around the club at the moment. We had record numbers at our season launch and extra players into the Prem’s side will strengthen our other divisions.”

One of the biggest factors in their favour is the sheer number of quality players they’ve been able to put on their books throughout the various divisions.

Dunstan believes this will create a healthy competition and avoid complacency as players look to lock in a spot in the Prems side.

“We’re feeling very confident in the lower grades. We have really good numbers and all the way down from top to bottom they are strong,” he said.

The Bulldogs will boast the last three leading goalkickers in the competition with the return of favourite son Kieran Emery and UTS sharpshooter Hugo Birks.

Players to watch: Toby Renshaw is right in the frame for a breakout season. He’s been a stalwart at the club from his junior days and the wing was the best on ground in the intra-club trial match earlier in the month.

Lyndon Hupfield returns to the East Coast Eagles. Picture: Justin Sanson

EAST COAST EAGLES

Captains: Nathan Coxall and Cam Edwards

Coach: Gavin Jones

Last season: 10th (2-16)

Key recruits: Lyndon Hupfield (South West Sydney)

Why they will be competitive: Rebuilding a club always has its challenges and tough points, but the Eagles believe this could be the season the green shoots come out.

“We came back in the second week of November and it’s the best we’ve had while I’ve been there in terms of consistency and application,” coach Gavin Jones said.

“We have depth across the playing list and everyone knows there’s no guarantee of spots.

“The most pleasing thing is this is a young group. We started a rebuild close to three years ago and they’ve all stayed together.

“There’s been a few arrivals but hardly any departures. They started this as 17 and 18 year olds and are coming into their early 20s with three pre-seasons under their belts.”

Jones said the ultimate reward for this group and sticking it out through the tough times would be a finals appearance, but said it isn’t the end of the world if they fall short.

“They’re desperate to play finals again. We’ve been through a lot of adversity and we’re looking to celebrate that with some success,” he said.

“I’ve known most of them since the juniors and they’re a great bunch of young men who are extremely passionate.

“The reward for me is seeing them enjoy their footy. They’re highly competitive and want to win.”

Players to watch: There are a host of young guns coming through the Eagles ranks that are set to explode in 2025. Among those are Jacob Jones, Harry Elbourne and Angus Edwards. The trio, along with the rest of the playing group, have put in massive efforts over the past few months and are looking to reap the rewards. Lyndon Hupfield is also a good recruit who returns to his junior club after a stint with the SWS Blues last year.